San Francisco Cracks Down on Distracted Drivers

Posted on Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

Following the nationwide tidal wave recognizing the extreme dangers of distracted driving, San Francisco has launched a series of crack downs in recent weeks to enforce California’s laws against using handheld devices behind the wheel. Last week’s crackdown led to more than 900 tickets for cell phone users. Today, the California Highway Patrol has launched the second citywide bust in ten days, and expects to ticket at least that number.

These crackdowns are important and will go a long way toward enforcing existing laws against distracted driving and raising awareness about the ubiquitous practice’s dangers. But in a series of blog posts applauding the CHP’s efforts to make roads more safe, SF Weekly says California has not gone far enough.

The alternative weekly points to studies indicating that speaking on hands-free devices is no safer than holding the phone to your face. In essence, these studies suggest that the main problem associated with cell phone use is lack of attention rather than loss of motor skills. According to the Department of Transportation, for example, there were 4,500 accidents among people using hands-free devices between 2006 and 2008, only 18 percent lower than the 5,500 crashes among people using hand-held devices over the same period.

“Even though you are listening, your mind is processing the information, and you’re busy formulating a response,” said AAA Mid-Atlantic spokeswoman Tracy Noble. “We have to change the culture that everyone is multitasking when they are in a vehicle because it is a danger when you are taking your attention off the roadway.”

California currently bans the use of handheld devices for all drivers and prohibits any cell phone use among school bus drivers and drivers under 18, a pretty common distinction for most states. You can see state-by-state distracted driving laws on this interactive map. As ‘crackdowns’ like the ones in San Francisco raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving, I hope to see knowledge about talking on the phone behind the wheel in general spread.

Photo credit: mrJasonWeaver

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